Some Bendigo District Cricket Association matches could be played without official umpires.
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The Bendigo District Cricket Umpires Association has lost eight umpires from last season leaving a skeleton staff to officiate the upcoming season.
"The morning games will only have one umpire, which is typically the case, but our afternoon games in B-grade might only have one umpire or maybe not even have an umpire. That's how desperate it is,'' BDCUA umpire co-ordinator Peter Williams said.
Ill health and old age have forced a number of umpires out of the game.
Bendigo Cricket Club great Mark Ryan has joined the umpiring ranks this year and Williams would love to see more former players take up umpiring.
"Former players are instantly respected by the players because they know them,'' Williams said.
"There's former players out there who are probably thinking they'd love to stay involved with cricket and the best way to stay involved is to umpire."
Williams also encouraged women to join the cricket umpiring ranks.
BDCUA product Lisa McCabe has recently been elevated to the state umpiring panel.
"It's an oustanding result for Lisa and we'd love to see more women join us,'' Williams said.
"You don't have to be a cricket expert because we will teach you, but you need to have an understanding of the rules and a love of cricket.
"It's not about the money you get for umpiring, it's about the love of cricket."
Anyone interested in taking up umpiring can phone Peter Williams on 0421 641 445.
Read more: BDCA 2019-20 fixture
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